Christmas party season is almost here. The venue's booked, the food is sorted, and somebody has already started a playlist argument in the group chat.
Then there's the photo problem. One person ends up taking the pictures all night and misses the fun, half the good shots are stuck on someone's phone, and by January nobody can find them.
That's why we built Shoto: a digital disposable camera that works from your guests' own phones.
What is a digital disposable camera?
Think of the disposable cameras that used to sit on every table at a party. Everyone grabbed one, took a handful of daft photos, and the best ones turned up weeks later.
Shoto keeps that idea and removes the waiting and the film. Each guest scans a QR code with their phone camera and gets a limited number of shots to use through the night. There's no app to download and no account to set up.
How it works at your party
- Book your event. Choose a package, add the date, and you'll get a QR code.
- Put the QR code out. Print it on a card, stick it on the tables, or put it on a screen at the bar.
- Guests scan and shoot. They open the camera in their browser and take their shots through the evening. Because the number is limited, people choose their moments, which tends to give you better photos than someone firing off a hundred.
- See everything the next morning. The photos are revealed to you in a private gallery after the event, so everyone gets a bit of the old "waiting for the film to be developed" excitement.
You also get fun film-style versions of the photos alongside the originals, so you have a clean copy and a more atmospheric one.
Why it suits a Christmas party
- Everyone joins in. Nobody has to download anything or hand over an email address, which matters at a work do where not everybody wants another app.
- You're not the designated photographer. The photos come from the whole room, so you get shots from every table instead of one angle.
- It's cheap. Packages start at £9.99, which is less than a round of drinks.
- It works for any size of party. There are three packages, so it fits a team of twenty or a big staff party.
- No awkward moment. The shots feel candid and a bit silly, which is what people want from a Christmas photo.
Which package should you pick?
| Package | Price | Shots per guest | Guests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | £9.99 | 30 | up to 75 |
| Standard | £19.99 | 40 | up to 100 |
| Premium | £29.99 | 50 | up to 150 |
Not sure? A small team party suits Basic, and larger events with a mix of departments or families suit Standard or Premium. Planning something bigger than that? Take a look at Shoto Events and we'll quote for it.
Tips for getting the most out of it
- Put the QR code where people wait: the bar, the buffet queue, the toilets. Table cards work well too.
- Say it out loud. A quick "scan the code on your table and have a go" from whoever's hosting makes a big difference.
- Set a reveal time that suits you. The morning after works well, and it's the default.
- Mention it in the invitation, so people expect it.
Frequently asked questions
Do my guests need to download an app?
No. They scan the QR code and the camera opens in their phone's browser.
Can guests see each other's photos?
No. The photos are revealed to the organiser in a private gallery after the event.
How many photos does each guest get?
It depends on your package: 30, 40 or 50 shots each.
Does it work on iPhone and Android?
Yes. It runs in Safari on iPhone and Chrome on Android, so there's nothing to install.
When do I get the photos?
After your event, at the reveal time you choose. You can download every photo in one go, in both the film look and clean originals. Photos are kept for 90 days after your reveal date, so save them before then.
Can I use it for something other than a Christmas party?
Yes. Shoto works for weddings, birthdays, proms and other events too.
Ready to try it?
Set up your event in a couple of minutes, and your guests will be taking their first shots before the starters arrive.